Not my usual Sunday Sermon

I am away from church today, a rare space of rest from preaching and presiding. On such days I have more time to read and write. I am currently reading “East West Street: On the Origins of “Genocide” and “Crimes Against Humanity”” by Philippe Sands. It is a memoir and history of the origins of international criminal law in the aftermath of the Second World War. This is, obviously, not light reading. Page after page, in incident after incident, the ravages of the Third Reich infiltrate Austria, Poland, France, everywhere the fascism takes root through brutal enforcement.  

Simultaneously, with so many of us, I am concerned about current violations of human rights, hoping for resolution of conflict throughout the Middle East, with special concern for Palestinians and for those who strive to give help and sustenance. I hear about the International Criminal Court (ICC) and wonder about its efficacy now. It is so very interesting to learn how genocide and crimes against humanity were first levied against perpetrators. There was once hope for justice beyond national borders, internationally. Has that hope all but disappeared? I wonder.

Charlie Angus recently posted the story of Canadian Sebastian Tow who endured violence and detention while trying to deliver aid to Gaza. What he describes now is a challenge to us all. Please read Charlies summary and watch the video — every minute of it. It is not easy viewing. It details an eyewitness story of abuse, rape, and humiliation we cannot access through mainstream media. It paints a shameful picture of Israeli persecution and of Canada’s tepid response to human rights abuse amidst a denial of justice for Palestinians. Enough is enough. Let us all, at the very least, be informed.

Charlie Angus / The Resistance – May 29, 2026

Fellow resisters, this morning I want to share with you an important interview with Sebastian Tow — the 24-year-old Canadian aid worker kidnapped by Israeli forces in international waters.

Sebastian was one of 428 citizens seized while attempting to transport desperately needed medical supplies, baby formula and food to Gaza.

When Meidas Canada learned he had been illegally taken, we spoke with his mother, Anita and sister Emma in an attempt to raise public attention to push the government to act.

Ironically, it was the shocking video posted by Israeli minister Ben Gvir that spurred Western governments into action. Gvir was revelling in the abuse, but it sickened the world.

Minister Anand called the treatment of the aid workers an abomination.

Prime Minister Carney called out the Israeli leader.

But that footage wasn’t anything close to the level of abuse, beatings, torture and rape that was perpetrated against the volunteer aid teams who were accompanying the doctors and nurses on the aid convoy.

And since their release, no Canadian officials have reached out to document the abuse or investigate what happened to Canadian citizens at the hands of Israeli authorities.

This is part of a broader, deeply troubling pattern.

Canada and the international community have continually failed to address the genocide and the abuse of Palestinians in the West Bank. They have sat back while Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” mishandles aid and allows the abuse and killing of civilians to continue.

Sebastian says he stepped up because our governments, like ours, refuse to defend the principles of the Geneva Convention and the Rome Statute.

Canada once played a leading role in building those international principles of accountability.

Sebastian’s courage, decency, resolve and unwillingness to turn a blind eye to torture and genocide are part of a longstanding Canadian tradition.

I was deeply moved by this conversation. What inspires me most is that Sebastian has returned from the nightmare of torture fully committed to continuing the work of justice for Gaza.

Sebastian Tow represents the best of what we are as a nation.

Canada has always been a country that stepped up in times of darkness. If our government won’t do the job, it falls to Canadians like you and me, and Mr. Tow, to do our part.

Please take the time to watch and share this video.

TRIGGER WARNING: This video interview may be a hard story to hear, but I assure you, his spirit and motivation will inspire.

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